Ohio is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, making it a popular destination for travel nurses and those relocating to cities such as Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Whether you’re applying for your first Ohio RN license, moving from another compact state, or renewing your biennial Ohio nursing license, understanding the process will help you avoid delays. The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) regulates all RN and LPN licensure, including endorsement (reciprocity), continuing education requirements, and the mandatory BCI/FBI criminal records check.
This guide covers endorsement or examination, Ohio nursing license renewal requirements, CE rules (including Category A), temporary permits, multistate conversion, and what to do if your license lapses.
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Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
Ohio may issue a 180-day temporary permit to endorsement applicants who hold an active license in another U.S. state. This temporary permit allows you to practice while your permanent Ohio nursing license is being processed.
Initial State License Fee: $75
Initial Multistate License Fee: $100
Single State Renewal Fee: $65
Multistate Renewal Fee: $75
Reinstatement of Lapsed License: ~$100-$215 depending on year & month of reinstatement.
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Ohio Board of Nursing
8995 E Main St. Bldg 1
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Ohio nursing licenses must be renewed every two years.
To renew and maintain an active Ohio RN license, you must:
To renew your Ohio nursing license, you must complete the required CE before renewal:
Single State Renewal Fee: $65
Multistate Renewal Fee: $75
If you have an active, unencumbered nursing license in another US jurisdiction, you may apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) for licensure by endorsement. This allows you to get an Ohio nursing license based on your existing credentials, rather than taking the NCLEX again.
You may apply for an Ohio RN license by endorsement if:
If you have a multistate license from another compact state and move to Ohio as your primary residence, you must apply for Ohio licensure within 60 days to maintain multistate privileges.
Endorsement Application Fee: $75
If you are a recent nursing school graduate and have never been licensed in another state, you’ll apply for your initial Ohio nursing license through Licensure by Examination.
Single State License Application Fee: $75
Multistate License Application Fee: $100
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
Now that Ohio participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (as of 2023), nurses with an active single-state Ohio license can upgrade to a multistate license (MSL) through the Ohio eLicense Portal.
You must meet all NLC eligibility requirements, including legal residency in Ohio, holding an active, unencumbered Ohio nursing license, and having a completed BCI and FBI background check on file with the Board. Once approved, your license will be converted to multistate status, allowing you to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional state licenses.
Ohio is a premier destination for travel nurses, with major healthcare hubs in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo regularly relying on contract clinicians to maintain staffing levels in critical care, emergency, and specialty units. Because Ohio participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, travelers holding an active multistate license can begin working immediately without applying for a separate credential. If you relocate permanently to establish Ohio as your primary residence, you must apply for a single-state license by endorsement within a strict 60-day window. Endorsement applicants from non-compact states may receive a 180-day temporary permit to practice while their permanent background checks are processed. Explore current travel nursing jobs in Ohio to find assignments that match your experience and preferences.
Pro Tip for Travelers
If you are relocating to Ohio, start the fingerprint process early. Nurses applying from outside the state who must mail traditional fingerprint cards to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) typically experience much longer processing times than applicants who complete electronic WebCheck fingerprinting inside Ohio.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Ohio to find your next great assignment.
Yes. Ohio is a full Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you are moving to Ohio, you must apply for an Ohio-issued multistate license within 60 days to practice. If your Primary State of Residence is elsewhere, you can practice here on your existing multistate license.
Ohio nursing license renewal requires 24 hours of Continuing Education every 2 years. 1 of those hours must be Category A, covering the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and Board of Nursing rules. Endorsement applicants licensed within 1 year of renewal only need 12 hours.
The standard OH nursing license renewal fee is $65 for a single-state Ohio RN license and $75 for a multistate license. Processing is $3.50. If your OH nursing license renewal is late, you must complete the reinstatement process before you can practice.
The on-time renewal window for RNs (odd years) and LPNs (even years) opens on July 1 with the final deadline on October 31.
Apply online through the Ohio eLicense Portal, complete a BCI/FBI background check, request Nursys license verification, and provide 2 hours of Category A CE. Qualified applicants can receive a 180-day temporary permit while the full endorsement is processed.
Yes. Ohio offers a 180-day temporary permit for endorsement applicants with an active license in another state. The permit is non-renewable and is not available to new grads waiting for NCLEX results.
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